Apparatus for treating photographic materials

ABSTRACT

A drum adapted to contain a treating liquid is mounted in normally substantially horizontal orientation. A first arrangement is provided for rotating the drum about its longitudinal axis, and a second arrangement is provided for rocking the drum. A single drive drives both of the arrangements.

United States Patent 1191 Merz Oct. 8, 1974 [5 APPARATUS FOR TREATING 3,381,599 5/l968 Banks 95/93 x 3,550,521 12/1970 Carrie 95/93 PHQTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS 3,589,264 6/1971 Jensen 95/93 Inventor: Werner Merl, Napoleonweg 3, 3,668,997 I /1972 Ratkowsky... 95/89 R x I D-79l1 Oberelchingen, Germany 3,703,860 11/1972 Wilkinson 95/99 X [22] Filed: Jan. 4, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] App]. No. 321,042 1,522,937 10/1969 Germany 95/93 Primary Examiner-Fred L. Braun [30] Forelgn Apphcatlon Pnorlty Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker Jan. 11, 1972 Germany 2201 133 52] us. 01 259/72, 134/120, 354/330 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl B0lf 9/02 A drum adapted to tain a reating liquid is [53] Field of Search 95/89 R, 93, 99; 134/ 1 19, mounted in normally substantially horizontal orienta- 134/120; 259/72; 354/297, 328, 329, 330 tion. A first arrangement is provided for rotating the drum about its longitudinal axis, and a second ar- [56] R fere Cit d rangement is provided for rocking the drum. A single UNn-ED STATES PATENTS drive drives both of the arrangements. 2,947,236 8/1960 Siege] 95/93 19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENIEBum 8IH74 Fig. 2

Fig. 3

. 1 APPARATUS FOR TREATING PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for treating of objects, and more particularly to an apparatus for treating objects such as photographic material. 1

Such apparatus is alreadyknown, for instance for the development of photographic films. it uses in such cases a rotary drum adapted to contain a developer liquid. The drum is rotated about its longitudinal axis which is'substantially horizontal in normal use, and also has impartedto it a rocking movement. The purpose of imparting the rocking movement is to distribute the developer liquid as evenly-as possible over the length of the rotating drum in order to develop as evenly as possible the photographic material contained in the drum. Usually, the drum is given a to-and-fro movement in the direction of rotation'inorder to obtain the rotary movement, andthe rocking effect may, for instance, be obtained by alternately raising and lowering the opposite ends of the drum.

Generally speaking, this type of apparatus is satisfactory for its intended purpose.However, it is relatively complicated in the construction of the means required for imparting the various motions'to the drum and it is therefore desirable to find a solution permitting a simpier construction.

SUMMARY or THE iNvENTio Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus of the type under discussion above, which. affords the sought-after advantages. h 1

' More particularly it is an object of the invention to provide such an improved apparatus which is provided with'a drive that is simpler and less complicated than what is known from the art.

Another object of the invention isto provide such an improved apparatus in which a simple coordination is obtained between the rotary movement and the rocking movement imparted to the drum.

In keeping with these. objects, and with others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in an apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, which briefly stated comprises a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid, first motion-imparting means for rotating the receptacle, and second motionimparting means for rocking the receptacle. According to the invention there is provided a single drive which is ope ratively associated with both of the means for driving them.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention a separate drive for the two means individually is avoided, and a single drive can be utilized for driving both of the means. Aside from the fact thatthis is a simpler construction than what is known from the art, it is now also possible to inherently accommodate the frequency of the rotary movement and of the rocking movement in such a manner that optimum conditions are obtained, in. that a certain number-of revolutions or to-and-fro turning movementcorresponds to a certain number of rocking movements, with the frequency of both movements being either identical or different depending 2 upon the requirement made and the dimensions of the receptacle.

Because of the different'movements which the receptacle or drum can carry out, a further concept of the invention provides for utilizing in the drive for the means effecting the rotation a universal drive arrangement, for instance in form of a double-jointed shaft or a cardan shaft, whereas the rocking drive has motion imparted to it via an eccentric arrangement.

it is, of course, also possible for the apparatus to have two or more drums or cylindrical receptacles. Such a multiplicity of receptacles is known from the prior art already and, where employed, the prior art mounts each of these laterally adjacent receptacles on two rollers, and provides rollers intermediate between any two receptacles which are common to both of these. In this case only one of the rollers needs to be driven whereas the other rollers and thereby the receptacles supported on them receive their drive indirectly via a'primary driven receptacle. However, it has been found that this has certain disadvantages because the rollers must have a specific size in order to assure that two adjacent receptacles canbe properly supported on them at the same time. More importantly, however, it has been observed that difficulties existed when the receptacles are relatively long and supported on only two of these rollers, because an even drive of the receptacle, which of course is desired, can no longerbe assured irrespective of whether one or both of the rollers are driven, so that the receptacles can still become unevenly driven and under certain-circumstances may even stop completely. Also, the receptacles which are farther removed from the driven receptacle are no longer being driven reliably.

The present invention also contemplates the use of two or more receptacles simultaneously, but seeks to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art. This is achieved, according to one concept of the invention, in that the single or several rollers will each be mounted on a single drive wheel or on several drive wheels which are arranged on the same axis of rotation, and that means is provided for preventing lateral displacement of the receptacle or receptacles. Thus, a drive can be imparted to the respectivedrums or receptacle which is in form of the entire length thereof.

It is advantageous if two drive wheels are provided for each receptacle, being mounted on a shaft extending longitudinally of the receptacle with the drive wheels each engaging the receptacle in the region of one end thereof. Thedrive wheels may be in form of gears which may engage with annuli of gears provided on the receptacle itself. The guide elements may be in form of a guide'frame composed of longitudinally and transversely extending components, and the guide frame may for instance be of synthetic plastic material, particularly of material having good sliding characteristics of having surfaces treated so as to have such characteristics.

The guide elements may be provided on a rocker which supports the respective receptacle and is pivotable about a transverse pivot axis. Such a rocker may for instance serve to tilt the receptacle to a more or less upright position so as to empty it. Advantageously, the

a drive which is independent of the drive for rotating the drum and for rocking it. Such drive may for instance be in form of a crank drive which is advantageously electromechanically driven.

To assure that the receptacle has a stable support, and to obtain a reliable control for the different movements of the receptacle, the invention further provides a rocking frame which is driven by the second motion imparting means and which supports the receptacle. The rocker itself can be mounted turnably on the frame and in a currently preferred embodiment the turning or pivot axis of the rocker and the rocking axis of the frame are coincident.

If two or several laterally adjacent receptacles are provided, then it is preferable to use a common first motion imparting means for them, and a common second motion imparting means, and it is also advantageous to use a common rocking frame and a common rocker which may be mounted on the rocking frame.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however,

both as to its construction and its method of operation,

together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of an apparatus according to the present invention, with the drum shown in'full lines in its normal operating position and in broken lines in its alternate tilted position;

FIG. 2 is a side view analogous to FIG. 1, but with components emittedto show certain'details;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a detail of a rocker unit and a drive therefor; and

FIG. 4 is an end view of an apparatus having two laterally adjacent drums.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

.and is connected via an element 16 with a second shaft 17 which it drives. The shaft 17 drives via a double jointed shaft arrangement or via a cardan drive 18 a shaft 19 which carries two axially spaced gears 20 and 20a. The shaft 19 is journalled in a rocking frame 22 which is in turn rockably mounted in the housing for movement about a transverse axis or shaft 21. The rocking frame 22 may for instance be composed of longitudinal and transversely extending components and in turn carries a rocker 23 which may be rockable about the same transverse shaft 21 as the frame 22.

The rocker 23 carries a cylindrical drum 24, particularly a receptacle accommodating the photographic material to be developed and which may be wholly or in part of transparent material. The drum 24 is turnable about its longitudinal axis. It is provided with two annulae 25 and 25a of gear teeth which surround it exteriorly and which, in the horizontal position of the rocker 23, mesh with the teeth of the gears 20 and 20a respectively. The center axis of the drum 24 is at the same or approximately at the same vertical longitudinal plane as the axis of the shaft 19.

The rocker 23 is provided with guide members 26 which laterally prevent the drum 24 from displacement and which may be in form of individual rod-shaped, leaf-shaped or otherwise configurated components that may be of one piece with the rocker and may consist of sheet metal or synthetic plastic material or the like.

A drum 24 is also prevented against longitudinal displacement, and this can be effected in various different ways, for instance by means of an abutment 27.

F IG. 1 shows that the rocker 23 and the drum 24 can be pivoted about the shaft 21 from the normal horizontal position to the upwardly inclined broken-line positions 23, 24'. This is carried out via a crank drive 28 which advantageously is driven by a separate electromotor 29, although a different type of drive motor can also be utilized. Power is transmitted from the motor 29 via a crank 30 and a connecting rod 31 which latter is pivoted to the rocker 23 at 31a. When the rocker 23 is in the position 23', the rod 31 is in the position 31' rather than the shaft 14, whereas the latter is driven via the element 16 from the shaft 17. In addition, FIG. 2 shows a further center drive wheel 20b which meshes with an annulus 25b of gear teeth on the drum 24 and serves for additional drive of the latter. In other respects the drive is the same as in FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated that the drum 24, which may for instance be aligned on its inner surface with photographic material to be developed, can be placed from above onto the rocker 23, for instance after removing a cover 32 of the housing. When this is done, the gears 20, 20a and 20b mesh with the teeth of the annulae 25, 25a and 25b. The diagrammatically illustrated inlet hopper 33 serves to admit the developer liquid through the open end 34 of the drum so that the latter can be filled to a level which is below the lower edge of the opening 35 of the rear conical portion 36 of the drum.

When the apparatus is to be operated, the drive motor 12 drives the eccentric 15 on the one hand and the shaft 19 on the other hand. The drive of the eccentric having the eccentricity e assures that during each half rotation of the eccentric between an upper and a lower dead center position of the same but end of the rocking frame 22 (and thereby of the drum 24) which faces towards the drive will be lifted by the amount 2e, so that the liquid will be made to rock back and forth longitudinally of the drum 24. At the same time the shaft 19 and the gears 20a, 20b cause the container or drum 24 to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and preferably in such a manner that the drum will perform only a partial rotation at the completion of which it will be driven in opposite direction to perform another partial rotation. For this purpose the motor 12 may be of the reversible type, or a reversing gear drive may be in- "terposed between the motor and the shaft 19, or .the

motor and the shaft 14. The fact that the shaft 14 participates in the to-and-fro movement of the drive does not influence the rocking movement of the frame 22.

When the desired treating period has elapsed, the motor 29 is energized to operate the crank drive 28, so that the rocker 23 together with the drum 24 will be pivoted to the broken-line positions 23, 24'. During this movement the teeth of the annulae 25, 25a and 25b be come disengaged from the teeth of the gears 20, a

hopper 33 and a pump 37 can be used for removing any liquid.

When the spent treating liquid has been removed,

and when any desired flushing has been carried out, the

rocker 23 and the drum 24 are returned to the full-line positions, and the teeth of the annulae 25, a and 25b then again move into mesh with those of the gears 20,

20a and 20b.

.. The pivot axis 21 of the frame 22 may be also arranged at the drive side where the drive for the drum 24 is located, or in such a manner that the driving joint for the rotation of the drum is'located on the shaft 21. g In this case a simple universal joint will be sufficient.

Coming-to the embodiment of FIG. 4 it will be seen that this illustrates an apparatus having two laterally adjacent drums 24. Here again a drive motor 12 is provided-which drives, via the gear drive 13 and an appropriate sprocket chain 38 and drive chain 39, the eccentries 15 located at opposite sides of the vertical longitudinal plane of the drums, and-the eccentrics operate the rocking frame 22 eitheruniformly or non-uniformly. The rocking frame 22 is constructed sufficiently large and wideso that it can accommodate a rocker 23 capable of supporting both of the drums 24. The sprocket chain 38 or an additional sprocket chain mounted on the same shaft drives, via a chain drive 40, the gears20 and, if desired, additional gears 20a and 20b, which'cooperate with corresponding annulae gear teeth that have been omitted in FIG. 4 for the sake of clarity. These annulae gear teeth of course are provided on the drums so that the latter are then rotated. Elements 26 are located at opposite sides of the drums 24 to prevent the latter from lateral movements.

' It will be appreciated that the chain drives 39 and 40 may be replaced with other drives for effecting driving of the center shafts 14 and the rotary shaft 19. In this embodiment, as in the others, it is advantageous if the rotary movement imparted tothe drums 24 has a toand-fro movement rather than a continuous movementin one direction.

Under certain circumstances it may be desired to housing 10 which is known manner can admit light to the photographic material accommodated in the drum It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an apparatus for treating of photographic materials, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that. from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patentis set forth in the appended claims:

1. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacle; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacle, including a support supporting said receptacle and mounted for rocking movement, and motion-imparting components for rocking said support and a single drive operatively associated with both of said means for driving the same.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first means are arranged to participate in the rocking motion imparted to said receptacle by said second means; and wherein said drive comprises a prime mover and a universal linkage transmitting motion from the same to said first means.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; furthercomprising wheel means supporting said receptacle; and lateral retaining members for preventing lateral movement of said receptacle.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said receptacle has a normally substantially horizontal orientation and two spaced ends; and wherein said rotating means comprises at least one shaft extending longitudinally of said receptacle, and at least two wheels provided on said shaft andeach drivingly engagingsaid receptacle in the region of one of said ends.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising wheel means supporting said receptacle; and a retaining frame retaining said receptacle against lateral movement.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising wheel means supporting said receptacle; lateral retaining members retaining said receptacle against lateral movement; and a rocker carrying said receptacle and being rockable about a transverse axis.

7. An apparatus as defined inclaim 6, said drive being arranged in the region of one end of said receptacle, and said transverse axis being located in the region of the opposite end of said receptacle.

. 8. An apparatus as defined inclaim 6, said rotating means comprising first components adjacent said receptacle, and cooperating second components provided on said receptacle; and wherein said second components are disengageable from said first components.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8; further comprising tilting means for tilting said receptacle from a normally substantially horizontal position to an upright position.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, said tilting means comprising a crank drive.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising at least one additional receptacle laterally adjacent the first-mentioned one; and wherein said means are each operatively associated with both of said receptacles.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11; said rotating means comprising two first motion-imparting branches each associated with one of said receptacles; and said rocking means comprising two second motionimparting branches each associated with one of said receptacles.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 11; and further comprising a rockable frame supporting both of said receptacles.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13; and further comprising a rocker unit on said frame and operative for rockingly supporting both of said receptacles.

15. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacle; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacle, including a frame supporting said receptacle and mounted for rocking movement and motion-imparting components for rocking said frame; and a single drive operatively associated with both of said means for driving the same.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, said second means further comprising a rocker unit pivotably mounted on said frame.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said rocker unit and said frame are each rockable about an axis which is common to them.

18. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid and having a normally substantially horizontal orientation and two spaced ends; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacle, comprising at least one shaft extending longitudinally of said receptacle, a pair of gears on said shaft, and a pair of cooperating meshing gears on said receptacle in the region of one of said ends; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacle; a single drive operatively associated with both of said thetion-imparting means for driving them; wheel means supporting said receptacle; and lateral retaining members for preventing lateral movement of said receptacle.

19. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid; at least one additional receptacle laterally adjacent to the firstmentioned receptacle; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacles, including a first drive shaft and two first branches each associated with only one of said receptacles; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacles, including a second drive shaft and two second branches each associated with one of said receptacles; and a single drive operatively associated with both of said drive shafts for powering the respective first and second branches via the same. 

1. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacle; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacle, including a support supporting said receptacle and mounted for rocking movement, and motion-imparting components for rocking said support and a single drive operatively associated with both of said means for driving the same.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first means are arranged to participate in the rocking motion imparted to said receptacle by said second means; and wherein said drive comprises a prime mover and a universal linkage transmitting motion from the same to said first means.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising wheel means supporting said receptacle; and lateral retaining members for preventing lateral movement of said receptacle.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said receptacle has a normally substantially horizontal orientation and two spaced ends; and wherein said first rotating means comprises at least one shaft extending longitudinally of said receptacle, and at least two wheels provided on said shaft and each drivingly engaging said receptacle in the region of one of said ends.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising wheel means supporting said receptacle; and a retaining frame retaining said receptacle against lateral movement.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising wheel means supporting said receptacle; lateral retaining members retaining said receptacle against lateral movement; and a rocker carrying said receptacle and being rockable about a transverse axis.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, said drive being arranged in the region of one end of said receptacle, and said transverse axis being located in the region of the opposite end of said receptacle.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, said rotating means comprising first components adjacent said receptacle, and cooperating second components provided on said receptacle; and wherein said second components are disengageable from said first components.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8; further comprising tilting means for tilting said receptacle from a normally substantially horizontal position to an upright position.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, said tilting means comprising a crank drive.
 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; further comprising at least one additional receptacle laterally adjacent the first-mentioned one; and wherein said means are each operatively associated with both of said receptacles.
 12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11; said rotating means comprising two first motion-imparting branches each associated with one of said receptacles; and said rocking means comprising two second motion-imparting branches each associated with one of said receptacles.
 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 11; and further comprising a rockable frame supporting both of said receptacles.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13; and further comprising a rocker unit on said frame and operative for rockingly supporting both of said receptacles.
 15. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacle; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacle, including a frame supporting said receptacle and mounted for rocking movement and motion-imparting components for rocking said frame; and a single drive operatively associated with both of said means for driving the same.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, said second means further comprising a rocker unit pivotably mounted on said frame.
 17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said rocker unit and said frame are each rockable about an axis which is common to them.
 18. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid and having a normally substantially horizontal orientation and two spaced ends; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacle, comprising at least one shaft extending longitudinally of said receptacle, a pair of gears on said shaft, and a pair of cooperating meshing gears on said receptacle in the region of one of said ends; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacle; a single drive operatively associated with both of said motion-imparting means for driving them; wheel means supporting said receptacle; and lateral retaining members for preventing lateral movement of said receptacle.
 19. An apparatus for treating of objects, particularly for developing of photographic films, comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a treating liquid; at least one additional receptacle laterally adjacent to the first-mentioned receptacle; first motion-imparting means for rotating said receptacles, including a first drive shaft and two first branches each associated with only one of said receptacles; second motion-imparting means for rocking said receptacles, including a second drive shaft and two second branches each associated with one of said receptacles; and a single drive operatively associated with both of said drive shafts for powering the respective first and second branches via the same. 